Theory Of Racism

[cocky4ever]

Exerpt from James M. Blaut (Professor that wrote "the theory of racism")

Racist practice, like all practice, is cognized, rationalized, justified, by a theory, a belief-system about the nature of reality and the behavior which is appropriate to this cognized reality. (The word "theory" is better in this context than the word "ideology," because we are talking about a system of empirical beliefs, not about the cultural bindings of belief.) But theory and practice do not have a one- to-one relationship. One form of practice can be underlain by various different theories. Since racism-as-practice, that is, discrimination, is an essential part of the system, we should not be surprised to discover that it has been supported by a historical sequence of different theories, each consistent with the intellectual environment of a given era. Nor should we be surprised to find that the sequent theories are so different from one another that the racist theory of one epoch is in part a refutation of the racist theory of the preceding epoch.
Putting the matter in a somewhat over-simplified form, the dominant racist theory of the early nineteenth century was a biblical argument, grounded in religion; the dominant racist theory of the period from about 1850 to 1950 was a biological argument, grounded in natural science; the racist theory of today is mainly a historical argument, grounded in the idea of culture history or simply culture. Today's racism is cultural racism.

He goes on to state he believes there are 3 different kinds of racism; religious, cultural and biological.

How Racism is in American Law:
When it comes to racism, hate shows no boundaries. It has trickled into our laws in America over the centuries. Racial profiling, supremacy and seperatism are the three main problems with racism in our laws.

So I guess the main reason in pointing this out is to see how much racism we can find in religion, pointing out specifics in the bible or other religious texts, pointing out governmental offenses and even present day actions that continue to support, enhance and carry on racism.

[scunyon]

I'll take an early stab at it...as far as the Bible goes, it wasn't as much racism as it was seperatism. By that I mean that in terms of peoples or tribes, many did not approve of marrying someone outside of the tribe or cities where they were living. Though it can be labled as racism, it seems to me that it was more of a tolerance among trading, and other economic venues, but as far as matrimony, it was a no-no.

The theory of racism in the law came up in one of my CRJ classes, and it seems to be relevant. In most criminal codes of law dealing with drugs (was the example that was used in my class), 99.9% of the time, if a minority gets caught with cocaine, it is in rock form, ie "crack". When a white is caught with it, it more often than not, in powdered form.

The disparity comes when you look at the sentences for getting caught with it, and how much you are in possession of. A minority getting caught with say, 10-14oz of crack could get, say 10-15 years, whereas a white person has to get caught with kilos to get the same terms. Now before the flames begin, you have to think about what is one group of people more likely to get caught with. Yes, there are plenty of white people on crack, but given the socio-economic differences, a white person is more likely to get caught with powdered coke and the minorities will get caught with rocks.

I say leave the stuff alone altogether, but to each their own. However, is the sentencing fair? I don't think so. With the addition of mandatory sentencing guidelines, leniancy of the court has been all but removed. And I know that all people are responsible for their own actions, but even still, there is inequality in the justice system as it applies to whites versus minorities, all things being equal.

[rebeldude]

Hate is the root of all racism.
Love your neighbor as you love yourself-Holy Bible-End of racism.

I don't believe that verse of scripture should enhance any racism.

[scunyon]

Hate is the root of all racism.
Love your neighbor as you love yourself-Holy Bible-End of racism.

I don't believe that verse of scripture should enhance any racism.

It is also the refusal/unwillingness to learn or see the way others view the world. Classic example: Muslim vs. Christian vs. Hindu vs. Bhuddist etc.

[rebeldude]

It is also the refusal/unwillingness to learn or see the way others view the world. Classic example: Muslim vs. Christian vs. Hindu vs. Bhuddist etc.

Love would take care of that too :whistle: :smack: